Camilla

Marla's quiet while we walk. She seems to be keeping track of where we're going. My eyes hurt from the sun and it's making my head throb. Just as I open my mouth to ask how far we have to go, I see a huge per-war roller coaster. It doesn't look that far away either.

"That's Primm?" I ask. Marla sighs.

"Yeah. Look like they've got something going on too." I'm not sure what she sees that I don't but I doubt she's wrong.

"Marla?" I glance at her. She looks up from her Pipboy. "Did you ever ask Trudy about who shot me?" she nods.

"Yeah. I was going to wait until we stopped for the night to tell you." I think about the nightmare I had back at Doc Michell's.

"You don't have to tell me everything." she sighs again.

"Trudy said that there were two Great Khans and a man in a checkered suit." I feel the color drain from my face as my heart beats faster.

"A ch-checkered suit."

"Yep. Once we track them down, we'll figure out who shot you." I stumble a little before taking a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself. I don't know if I should tell her about my nightmare. It could be nothing, but the guy in the checkered suit… I shake my head, trying to clear it. My gut tells me that it was more than a nightmare.

We come up on a few dilapidated buildings quickly. I look around. This all looks familiar. By the way Marla's walking, I know we've been here before.

"Hey! Where the hell do you think you're going?" an NCR officer shouts as he runs up to us. "Primm is off limits." He's much taller than me and puffs out his chest a little. I look over at Marla.

"Since fucking when?" she spits, crossing her arms.

"Since some convicts from the prison up the road have taken over the town. Everyone inside is either dead or in hiding." his eyes linger on Marla for a moment before looking back to me. "There are two tribes of raiders causing trouble in this area as well. You'd be safer heading back up to Goodsprings." I adjust my hat a little.

"Look dude, we've dealt with Powder Gangers before and we've dealt with worse. If you're so fucking worried why isn't the NCR protecting the town?"

"W-we don't have the resources." he's a little paler now than he was before.

"We're going into Primm. Maybe we can help." Marla walks passed him. I follow after her. From what I do remember about growing up with her, she's never let people walk all over her.

She stops just before crossing the bridge and holds out her arm to stop me. I look at the ground in front of us. I see some things that don't look like they belong there.

"You see the exploding ground thingys?" I ask. She looks at me.

"Yes. They're called land mines." I nod. "They must have put them out to keep the convicts in. Fuckers are keeping the people in too." I look across the bridge. There's a few people out but they're all against the building, trying to stay in the shade. "Okay," Marla sighs suddenly. I look at her. "I'm to get rid of these things. Watch my back, 'kay?" I nod again. I pull my pistol and keep watch.

Marla and I finish off the few convicts that are lingering outside. We stop by the body outside the Mojave Express. Poor guy. Looks like the convicts caught him by surprise. I squat down and search through his pockets.

"Don't think I've seen this guy before," Marla says. I glance at her. She's keeping watch.

"We've been here before, right?" she nods.

"About a week ago. You picked up your package from here and then we went to Goodsprings." I pull out a piece of paper that looks oddly familiar. I start to read it over. He was a courier like me, but it looks like he finished delivering his package. I grab the few caps he has left and pocket them.

"Let's go inside. This guy isn't anyone we're looking for." Marla yanks open the door. We hurry inside. It looks like someone's already been through here. Marla does a quick sweep while I look through the front area.

"There's no one here?" she calls.

"There's nothing here that'll help." she comes back into the room.

"Guess we're going to the casino."

We exit the Mojave Express and walk down the street. Both of us are looking for trouble but neither of us find it. We pull open the doors to the Vikki and Vance Casino. I hear a few guns cock before seeing an older man with dark skin. He looks at us. He looks so familiar, but just like this town I have no memories of him.

"Don't know what brought you to Primm, girls, but you might want to rethink your plans. Town's gone to hell." He lowers his gun. I look at Marla.

"What happened here? It's been a week since we were last here," she says. He looks between us again, eyes lingering on me.

"Some thugs kidnapped our deputy. It started with the breakout from the prison up the road. First there was just a few thugs rolling through town, but then they got organized. Damn Powder Gangsters. They killed the sheriff and his wife, too."

"I remember him," Marla says but doesn't go further.

"We were hoping you could tell us about this job," I say. I pull out my delivery order and hand it to him. He reads it over.

"Oh, Courier Six. Thought you looked familiar." he hands the paper back to me. "That job had strange written all over it. But we couldn't turn down the caps." my heart beats faster.

"Someone tried to kill me and took my package." he blinks at me. "What was strange about it?"

"That cowboy robot had us hire six couriers. Each was carrying something a little different. A pair of dice, a chess piece, that kind of stuff. Last word I had from the office, it looked like payment had been received for the other five jobs. Guess it was just your chip that didn't make it." I look at Marla. Could that be Victor or some other robot? "First deadbeat we hired to do the job canceled. Hope a storm from the Divide skins him alive. Well, that's where you came in." there was someone else before me?

"Who was it? Do you remember what he looked like?" he shakes his head no.

"Yeah, got this look when he saw you next down on the Courier list. His expression turned right around, asked me if your name was for real. I said, right as rain, you were still kicking. Then he turned down the job, just like that. I asked if he was sure, it was good money. No, let Courier Six carry the package, that's what he said- like the Mojave'd sort you out or something. Then he just up and walked out."

"Do you know where he went?" maybe he's the reason someone tried to kill me. he shakes his head again.

"No idea. Sounds like you two had a history for him to act like that. And turn down the money, too. Hope he didn't see any trouble in that package of yours. Maybe he thought your name was bad luck. Not for me to say." I rub my forehead.

"The men that tried to kill my sister and took her package were a couple of Great Khans and a man in a checkered suit," Marla says. "Did they come through town?" he crosses his arms.

"Before I let that kind of information go, I need you girls to help me out with something." I exchange a look with my sister.

"What do you need?"

"Since those punks killed our sheriff we need a new one." I see a robot walking farther into the casino.

"Oh yeah? How are we supposed to find one of those in a town full of criminals? You want us to get the deputy back?" he opens his mouth.

"What about that robot over there?" I ask cutting him off.

"Primm Slim? Well I guess I never thought of that. I guess he could be sheriff, if you think he could be reprogrammed for it." I nod.

"I can do that."

"Out with the info," Marla snaps.

"A few nights back one of the townies was out scavenging for supplies. He said he saw a fella with a daisy suit come through with some of them Great Khan misfits. They was talking about a chip."

"What about where they were going?"

"Well Deputy Beagle had some notes he was taking while he was eavesdropping around the Powder Gangsters. He'll be your best source of information on that subject." Marla groans and pinches the bridge of her nose.

"Where's he at?" she asks.

"He was slinking around Bison Steve when your pretty-boy friend came through. He may have heard where they were going."

"Great. Thanks for all the help."

"Don't forget to reprogram Primm Slim." he turns and walks away.

"Fuckin' old man." she looks at me. "Why don't you go play with the robot for a bit. I'll go scout out Bison Steve."

"Okay. You're not going in there without me, right?" she kisses my forehead.

"Be back in a few."

"Marla-" she runs out the door. I roll my eyes and go over to the robot.

Marla comes back a while a later with a man in tow. I finished reprogramming Primm Slim a while ago. The man stumbles away from her as she comes over to me.

"And I thought Ringo was worthless," she sighs. "How goes the Sheriff?" I cross my arms.

"He's been finished for a while. What the hell Marla!? I thought you were going take me with you."

"I was but then I was scouting the place out and they were going to kill the worthless Deputy Beagle so I had to act fast." I roll my eyes.

"Just because I'm your little sister doesn't mean I can't do anything."

"I know, but you just got shot in the head and I want to keep you out of harm's way as long as I can." I huff and start for the doors. She's treating me like a child and I'm not. "Cam. Cam wait." she comes after me. "He, uh, gave me this holotape." she holds it out to me. I take it and head outside. She follows me. I pop it into my Pipboy.

"This is most unusual! The Powder Gangers have visitors today. I guess there's a first for everything! …Now those tough-looking fellows must be Great Khans. I recognize those funny helmets and leather vests from stories I've heard... So what are they doing with that dapper gentleman who wears a checked suit? I wouldn't mind a suit like that. They're talking about heading south toward Nipton, then west to Novac where they'll meet up with someone... I guess I c-" I look at Marla.

"Alright. So we'll go to the outpost and then to Novac." she puts her hands on her hips. "Should take us a few days but we'll be okay." I look at her.

"Only if you stop treating me like a child. I'm doing just fine."

"Cam-"

"No. Let's get going." I start to stomp towards the bridge. My head hurts and I want to sleep. I hear Marla come after me and we get back on the road.

Marla

Cam doesn't speak to me the whole way to the outpost. She doesn't even say anything when I tell her how good her shots were killing some giant ants. We start up the hill to the outpost. The sun's starting to go down so I'm glad we're so close. I can see the ridiculous statues standing at the top of the hill. The NCR are so full of themselves. I've heard of these statues before but I'd never actually seen them until now. They're supposed to represent unity but I think they're just a beacon for trouble.

I see Cam look up at them but she doesn't say anything about them. We keep heading towards the outpost. There's a few people hanging about outside. I can see a couple of caravans outside. I'm surprised that they're not on the road.

A NCR man walks up to us.

"Coming from the North?" he says sounding a little impressed. "Must be crazy to brave those roads."

"It's the people you have to watch out for," I answer. He nods, a slight grin on his lips.

"Sergeant Kilborn." I nod. "If you're looking to help out around here, Ranger Jackson is the one you want to talk to. The barracks are right over there. There's a bar in there too. Watch out for Ranger Ghost on the roof." I nod and look at Cam. She's already started walking towards the barracks. I follow after her.

"Cam." she glances at me.

"I'm tired and my head hurts, Marla. Barracks means beds right?" I shrug a little.

"More or less." We head inside. "I guess I'll come find you in a bit." She doesn't say anything and heads down a hall. Maybe she'll stop being mad at me after she's rested some. I sigh and sit down at the bar. Two stools away is a woman. She's got on a dark brown jacket, jeans, and a cowboy hat on top of her head. She's staring into her glass in front of her. She traces around the rim of the glass.

"You a caravanner?" I ask. She glances at me.

"Was. Had a shitty week." she's got a little twang in her voice. I lean on my hand, staring at the bar top.

"Me too."

"Look, I ain't here to swap sob stories in this shithole." I look at her. I notice a pink plaid shirt under her jacket and a shotgun on her back. I can smell the whiskey now and it burns my throat. Never been one for whiskey.

"Wanna get out of this shithole?" she stares me down for a moment. "My sister got shot in the head a few days ago and we could really use some help." she downs what's left in her glass and then just goes straight to the bottle.

"Even if I wanted to, the washed up old fuck-up in charge here won't let anyone leave. Says it ain't safe on the road. And I'll need a lot of whiskey."

"So I'll get you some whiskey and talk to the guy in charge. You wanna get out of here or not?" she shrugs and turns back to her bottle. I roll my eyes. I think Cam's got some whiskey in her bag. I get up from the bar and head down the hallway to find Cam.

It doesn't take me long to find her. She's curled up on a bed, sleeping soundly. I go over and set my bag down next to hers before I slide on to the bed next to her. It's small but I feel bad taking up another bed. I relax next to her. I hadn't realized how tired I am. My eyes get heavy quickly and I drift to sleep.

Jaxson

I stare into my glass of whiskey. I don't usually like the stuff but it sounded good tonight. Good enough to get drunk and try to forget her beautifully tanned, freckly skin, full pinkish lips, hazel eyes that I could stare at forever, and her long strawberry blonde hair.

I sigh and shake my head. Could have sworn I saw her today but I know it's not true. I haven't seen her in two years and yet I still remember her so clearly. No amount of drinking can make me forget. I doubt she'd want to see me even if it was her. Not after what I did.

"Hey, turn that up!" someone shouts. Mr. New Vegas' voice gets louder.

"In other news, a package courier found shot in the head near Goodsprings has reportedly regained consciousness and made a full recovery…" I stop listening, heart racing. How could I have missed this? A courier was shot in the head? I throw back the rest of my drink and leave a few caps on the bar. It may be two years late but I have to find her and make sure she's alright. Maybe she still has feelings for me. Maybe I can tell her how I feel, tell her I'm an idiot.

I shoulder my pack and exit the bar. Be strong Cami. I'm coming.

Camilla

I wake up feeling well rested. My head isn't even hurting. I sit up and stretch my arms over my head before I see my sister digging through our bags.

"What are you doing?" she grunts a little.

"Looking for whiskey." I shudder a little. I can at least remember I don't like whiskey all that much.

"Why?" she pulls out a bottle.

"Thank God. I knew we had some." She looks at me. "Remember the ants we killed yesterday?" I nod. Neither of us were happy about it. Ants are nasty things, even without shooting flames.

"Well the NCR haven't been letting people leave because of them. Now that they're gone, people can leave."

"Okay?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I met someone yesterday and I think she can help us out."

"So the whiskey is for her?" she nods.

"Hopefully one bottle will do for now. Besides neither of us is going to drink this as our first choice." I nod. She starts to put everything back in our bags. I pull my hat on and get off the bed. I help her pack everything back up.

We shoulder our packs and head down the hall. I notice the same woman from last night sitting at the bar. Marla walks right over to her and sets the bottle next to her. She looks at it.

"This is all we've got right now. If you come with us we can keep up your stock." the woman takes the bottle and stands. She wobbles a little but doesn't fall over.

"I have one other thing I need." Marla puts her hands on her hips.

"What?"

"I want to go see what's left of my caravan." They stare at each other for a moment.

"We'll find time a little later." she nods.

"Name's Cass."

"Marla." she looks at me. "This is my younger sister Camilla." I wave a little. She looks me over and grins.

"How old are you even? You look like you're twelve." she cracks up. I cross my arms. Marla smiles.

"I'm not twelve, I'm twenty," I snap. Cass and Marla crack up more. I roll my eyes. Cass puts her arm around my shoulders.

"Sure Shorty-pants, we'll pretend you're twenty." I sigh. Great, a drunk that makes fun of me. This should be fun.

An hour later, we're back on the road after filling Cass in on where we're going and who we're after. She said my stitches were cool and that the scar will be cooler. We're heading to a town called Nipton, which is in the same direction as a large cloud of smoke. Marla doesn't seem too concerned about it. I can't remember anything about the town but thinking about it kinda makes me sad. I'm afraid to ask Marla why.

My head starts to hurt the closer we get to Nipton. My stomach is starting to churn too. I can see the rubble before I hear someone shouting.

"Yeeeaaaaaahhhhh!" There's a man running towards us. "I just won the motherfuckin' lotery!" I look at my sister the same time Cass does.

"What fuckin' lottery?" Cass asks as we both look back at him.

"What lottery? The lottery, that's what lottery!" this guy is crazy.

"What happened here?" Marla asks.

"Are you stupid? Only the lottery matters! Oh my god, smell that air!" he runs between me and my sister. "Smell that air!" we watch him run down the road, still shouting about the air. I look back at the town. There's so much smoke. Something is very wrong here.

"Well, we might as well see what's going on," Marla says. I nod and start forward. My heart's racing. We walk slowly. My head's pounding even worse now. There's people strung up on pieces of wood with what looks like cables. The sight is horrifying and I feel like I've seen it before.

"Legion crucified the whole goddamn town," Cass mumbles, holding her shotgun. Marla's breath catches and she grabs my hand quickly. I look up and see a man coming towards us. My stomach twists with nausea as my head starts to feel like it's splitting open.

I can see a dog's head over his and dark glasses over his eyes. He's wearing a red skirt. My breathing speeds up. I know he's bad news. He strolls over to us and stops a few feet away. I grip my sister's arm as well as her hand.

"Don't worry, I won't have you lashed to a cross like the rest of these degenerates. It's useful that you happened by," his voice is cold with no emotion in it. I can't tell where his eyes are looking but I feel myself start to shake a little. "I want you to witness the fate of the town of Nipton, to memorize every detail. And then, when you move on? When you move on, head west to the Mojave Outpost and tell the Profligate troops what you found here."

"What did you do here?" Marla asks. Her voice shakes a little. I can only remember her being scared a few times in my life but I can tell she's scared now. I wish I could remember why he's so frightening.

"Nipton was a wicked place, debased and corrupt. It served all comers, so long as they paid. Profligate troops, Powder Gangers, men of the Legion such as myself - the people here didn't care. It was a town of whores. For a pittance, the town agreed to lead those it had sheltered into a trap. Only when I sprang it did they realize they were caught inside it, too." I can see him looking her up and down. I want to reach for my pistol but I feel too sick and scared to even move.

"You captured everyone?" Cass asks. She's still holding her shotgun, aimed at him but he doesn't even look like he cares.

"Yes, and herded them to the center of town. I told them their sins, the foremost being disloyalty. I told them that when Legionaries are disloyal, some are punished, the others made to watch. And I announced the lottery. Each clutched his ticket, hoping it would set him free. Each did nothing, even when "loved ones" were dragged away to be killed."

"You monster. Slaughtering innocent civilians," Marla growls a little. He chuckles.

"Innocent? Hardly. Cowardly, though. They outnumbered us, yet not once did they try to resist. They stood and watched as their fellows were butchered, crucified, and burned, one by one. They stood and hoped their turn would not come. Each cared only for himself." Marla shakes her head.

"I think we've heard enough." I feel his eyes on me again.

"I think your eyes will see more than I could ever tell you. Take your time. Enjoy the sights." he turns and walks back towards the rest of his men. I let go of Marla's hand and grip my head.

"Marla-" I barely manage to whimper before I bend over and empty my stomach. My head feels like someone is repeatedly hitting it, trying to break it open.

"Oh god Cam." I feel her hands pulling back my hair as I throw up more. I feel so dizzy. "Talk to me."

"Head… hurts… bad," I whimper. I try to stand but only end up nearly falling in my vomit. If Marla wasn't holding me, I would be face first in it.

"Cass, help me get her out of the sun." she pulls off my pack and gently picks me up. I lean my head against her shoulder and slip into darkness.

Marla

Cass helps me get Cam into one of the buildings. It's half way torn down but it's still out of the sun. I can already tell that she's not conscious. I have Cass unroll my sleeping roll and gently lay Cam down. I check her pulse and time it on my Pipboy.

"She okay?" Cass asks softly. I nod.

"I think she will be. This all has to be from her head wound." I stroke Cam's hair some. "Bad headaches can cause vomiting." I look up at Cass. "I'm glad you came with us. This would have been much harder for me to do by myself." she grins a little and pulls out her whiskey.

"So I'm guessin' we're stayin' here 'til she wakes up." I nod.

"Maybe we can make it to Novac after." she shrugs and takes a long drink. I look at Cam. I hope she can tell me exactly what happened when she wakes up. I try not to think about all the people hanging out there. Fuck the legion. They're all monsters.